FILM FARE | A guide to what's on screen
The show airs in more than 40 countries.
By ROB WATSON
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Teens were captivated by the first season of MTV's "Pimp My Ride." Kids who looked and lived just like them saw their busted-up cars transformed into chrome-laden chariots with enough gadgetry to make James Bond envious.
The show was a runaway hit, scoring top ratings with teenagers on Sunday nights and cruising easily past all the many car-makeover shows among viewers ages 12 to 34.
"It's not the typical 'reality' show for MTV's target audience," says Marc Berman, a columnist for the trade publication Mediaweek. "It puts cars and, more importantly, the kids in a positive light."
Heavy weapons
Souping up cars on TV isn't an original concept, but "Pimp" (9 p.m. Sundays) wields a couple of heavy weapons. It focuses on young people who deserve something special in their lives, and they get to drive off with some of the wildest autos most of us have ever seen.
You just won't see in-car waterfalls, Internet access, or a yoga studio -- yes, a complete, wood-lined yoga studio -- on those other shows.
West Coast rapper Xzibit, the hilarious master of ceremonies, says: "We've got a brand-new, multimillion-dollar [auto body] facility, and it's just good to be involved in something so dope."
How show began
"Pimp My Ride" is the brainchild of Rick Hurvitz and Bruce Beresford-Redman, two high school chums who once had their own clunkers.
Says Hurvitz: "In high school, [Beresford-Redman] had a '68 Cadillac hearse and I had a '72 lime-green [Oldsmobile] Delta 88 convertible. For a high school kid, it's your first car, it has new meaning in your life, so we thought: Wouldn't it be great to give kids a chance to pimp that as opposed to getting something new?"
The two were involved with "Married by America" and "For Love or Money," among other reality shows. But "Pimp" wasn't going to be about the lengths contestants will go to. This time, it was the creators who needed to push the limits, and they needed help.
Hurvitz and Beresford-Redman found that help at West Coast Customs, one of the premier shops in Los Angeles.
"We could do the work, but [the show] needed a celebrity," says owner Ryan Friedlinghaus. "I knew Xzibit from working on his cars and was sure he would do it for me."
With a go-ahead from MTV, taping began. But the first car almost stalled everyone's efforts.
It was a Daihatsu minivan, which was in horrible shape.
"That was the worst [from Season 1] in my eyes. ... The first car they bring me is that? I thought, whoa, what did I get myself into?"
Sweet cruiser
However, Friedlinghaus and crew refused to put the brakes on. They turned that pile of rusted metal into a sweet cruiser with three TVs, a mini-fridge and a built-in guitar amp for owner Wyatt, an 18-year-old musician who could barely get to auditions in far-flung L.A.
In addition to working their cosmetic and gadget magic, the customizers make sure the car's internal workings are up to snuff. The elaborate rebirths -- which run $20,000 to $50,000 for cars worth a fraction of that -- combined with feel-good endings have made "Pimp a hit all across the bubble.
"We're on in over 40 countries," Hurvitz says.
The show has brought Friedlinghaus deals for clothing, toys and video games, and he has attracted car biz from hip-hop's Cash Money crew and professional sports figures.
Xzibit on the spot
"Pimp"'s popularity put Xzibit, 30, through some changes as well. The well-versed rapper still doesn't know what to say to fans who approach him on the street, trying to get on the show or, worse, seeking auto advice.
"It's a madhouse, man. ... like I have some tools in my pocket, or some rims around my neck that I can throw on their ride," says the man who owns a tricked-out Mercedes and Hummer.